Video: National Guard unit commended for service in Iraq

Monday

Moments before the start of a ceremony honoring Massachusetts soldiers Friday, 9-year-old Lance Airasian recalled praying for his uncle, Natick resident Master Sgt. Dave Sims, every day of his 11-month Iraq tour.

Moments before the start of a ceremony honoring Massachusetts soldiers Friday, 9-year-old Lance Airasian recalled praying for his uncle, Natick resident Master Sgt. Dave Sims, every day of his 11-month Iraq tour.

Sims, as part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard 151st Regional Support Group, was charged with organizing the defense of Victory Base Complex in Baghdad from May 2007 to April 2008. They weathered rocket and mortar attacks and helped protect more than 50,000 soldiers and civilians and 20 square miles of encampment.

More than 14 months after they came home, the military honored the 151st with the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

And while the master sergeant and the rest of his unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation and several State House citations, Lance, standing in the Concord Street armory, had a commendation of his own.

"I'm proud of him," he said.

For his part, Sims said he is glad to be home.

Lance was not the only one effusive with praise for the unit's 57 men and women who hail from 43 Massachusetts communities.

"What we have here is the best of the best and the bravest of the brave," said state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland.

Before the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Cliff Jaeger was blunt about the tour.

"It sucks," said Jaeger, a Cape Cod resident and 12-year veteran of the guard. "Unbelievably hot in the summer. The winters are cold. And muddy. And they're trying to kill you all the time."

He added wryly, "It doesn't get much better than that."

Asked about the prospects of returning, Jaeger said, "There is always a chance."

With a huge American flag hung from a fire truck ladder as a backdrop, the members of the 151st were honored before a modest crowd of family, friends, local officials, and fellow soldiers in the side lot of the armory.

In recognition of the commendation, a streamer was added to the unit's red and beige flag.

"Only a small percentage of units receive this. It's a high honor," said 151st Executive Officer Lt. Col. Tom Devine.

A few passing drivers beeped during the hour-long ceremony, one motorist chanted "U-S-A" out the window.

Barbara and Vinnie Collins, Framingham residents for 25 years, found the ceremony moving and heartwarming.

"Families go through a lot for these guys who protect us," said Vinnie Collins.

Brigadier Gen. Thomas Sellers may have summed up the ceremony most succinctly, in three words.

"Job well done," he said.

MetroWest Daily News writer Dan McDonald can be reached at 508-626-4416 or dmcdonal@cnc.com.

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